Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Curved Roofs and Portable Living Through Polycarbonate and Wood

Authors:
Remin Peter, Nahila keepoyil Fathimathu, Marwa Jubairiya, Hanan Abdul gafoor
Curved Roofs and Portable Living Through Polycarbonate and Wood

Project in-detail

The curved roof of this portable home design channels rainwater into a detachable storage tank while its foldable structure made of polycarbonate and wood allows for adaptable living in urban environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
The structure can be easily transported and relocated to various urban settings.
02
Rainwater is collected through a curved roof and stored in a detachable tank.
03
Furniture is integrated into the flooring, allowing for multifunctional use of space.
04
The design encourages community interaction by connecting multiple modules.
05
Constructed primarily with lightweight polycarbonate and wood for improved sustainability.

The Cartable Home project offers a straightforward solution to the challenges posed by urban growth in India. Set against the backdrop of increasingly crowded cities, the initiative aims to tackle the limited availability of land for housing. The design concept focuses on creating portable and adaptable residences that can fit into small spaces, such as rooftops, utilizing the existing urban landscape efficiently.

Design Flexibility

Flexibility is a key focus of the design. The Cartable Home is designed to be lightweight and foldable, making it easy to transport and relocate. This characteristic is especially beneficial for people living in cities where the need for different living arrangements can arise quickly. The design reflects a modern solution that accommodates the changing needs of residents without sacrificing functionality.

Sustainable Water Management

A notable feature of the Cartable Home is its curved roof, designed to manage rainwater effectively. The shape of the roof directs runoff into a detachable tank located beneath the flooring. This water collection system not only addresses essential needs but also emphasizes sustainability by allowing residents to gather and use rainwater efficiently. It is an everyday solution that aligns with current environmental considerations.

Community Interaction

Community engagement is another important aspect of the design. By allowing different homes to connect through the opening of the curved roof section, the design creates shared spaces that promote social interaction among residents. This modular approach encourages communal living and helps strengthen ties between neighbors in urban areas where personal connections can sometimes be overlooked.

Innovative Space Utilization

The Cartable Home also prioritizes smart use of space. It includes furniture that can be stored within the flooring. This allows for a flexible living area that can be adjusted as needed. Residents can easily pull out furniture when required, keeping the living space uncluttered while ensuring it remains functional and comfortable.

With careful attention to functional elements, the design achieves a balanced living environment that responds to urban life. The combination of adaptability, resource management, and community focus creates a residential option that fits well in today’s cities.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy